General Service Office complaints procedure

In response to our contact with GSO York they kindly supplied the following information with regard to how to go about making a complaint. This should also clarify the scope of their authority with regard to the groups. Now you know where the buck well and truly stops...!!

"Dear .....

The procedure followed by GSO in response to a complaint either from a member of AA or a member of the public is as follows:

We would ask that the complaint be put in writing [and sent to: The General Service Office, PO Box 1, 10 Toft Green, York, YO1 7NJ] and explain that as neither the General Service Board nor GSO has authority over the Groups of AA, we would pass the complaint on to the local members involved. At the same time we would inform the GSB Trustee of the complaint, so that they are aware of the situation. As Alcoholics Anonymous is formed by self-regulating Groups, AA members would be encouraged to consult Guideline 17 to help resolve any difficulties.

In some cases the General Service Board will consider complaints with a view to offering guidance only on how to resolve the issue.

If the complaint is against a member of staff, GSO follows the guidelines provided by an employment consultant which are contained in a staff handbook which is available to all staff.

We hope this helps in your deliberations.

Regards,

.......[name omitted]

General Secretary"


Cheers

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)